(Intro)

Hello Ohio! Before you can vote, you've gotta be registered to vote. If you're not sure whether you're registered already, you can check using the link in the description. But if you're not registered yet, or if you've moved or changed your name since  the last time you voted, you'll need to fill out a registration form.  If you just need to update your address, you can do that online at the link in the description, but if you're registering for the first time, the only way to do that in Ohio is by mail. Now I know that sounds kind of annoying, but you should print off the form using the link below and mail it to your county's board of elections' office by October 11th if you want to be registered in time for the November presidential election. You can also pick up a form at your board of elections' office, any DMV office, most social service agencies, public libraries, and high schools if you don't have access to a printer.

Once you've registered, there are a few different ways to vote, and you don't even have to leave your house to do it. Any Ohio voter can vote absentee by mail. All you have to do is fill out the form linked in the description and mail it to your county board of elections' office between August 10th and November 5th. Though, the sooner you do it, the better so you have time to get your ballot in the mail, fill it out at your own pace, and mail it back or drop it off at your county board of elections' office by November 8th.

You can also vote early in person starting on October 12th all the way through November 7th. This is a great option if you want to avoid voting day lines or it's easier for you to vote on a weekend. Check your county board of elections' website to find early voting hours and locations near you.

If you really want that experience of voting on election day, polls are open from November 8th from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm and there's a link below to look up where you need to go to vote. You'll need to bring an ID with you. A valid Ohio driver's license or state ID, military ID, or a recent utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck with your name and address on it will work.

You can also go to the link in the description to check out a sample ballot that tells you everything you'll be able to vote for in your county. You don't have to vote for every single thing on the ballot. You can leave things blank if you want to, but local elections are very important, so it's worth checking out what's on there ahead of time. You can even print the sample ballot out, fill it out, and bring it to the polls with you, so you don't forget who you wanted to vote for. All the links you need to check your registration and polling location, get absentee ballots, and your sample ballot are in the description. Thank you for voting.